Westmoreland County, Virginia

Rural county on Virginia’s Northern Neck. Seat Montross; population 17,454 (2010). Noted for colonial plantations and as the birthplace of George Washington; economy centers on agriculture, preservation and tourism.

Westmoreland County lies on the Northern Neck peninsula of Virginia, bounded by tidal rivers and close to the Chesapeake Bay. According to the 2010 census, the county had 17,454 residents. The county is largely rural, with small towns, farms, forested areas and a shoreline that has shaped its culture and economy for centuries.

Geography and character

The landscape is a mix of low-lying coastal plains, riverfronts and wooded uplands. Agriculture and small-scale farming remain important, while waterfront property, marinas and public access points support recreational boating and fishing. Many roads and communities reflect patterns of settlement that date to colonial times.

History and origins

Westmoreland County was formed in the colonial period and carries a name derived from the English county of Westmorland. Its early economy depended on tobacco and other plantation crops worked by enslaved people. Over time the area evolved, preserving numerous historic homes, churches and archeological sites that document colonial and antebellum life.

Notable sites and people

The county is best known as the birthplace of George Washington. The Washington family’s Popes Creek Plantation and other historic properties attract visitors and scholars. Stratford Hall, associated with the Lee family, and Menokin, the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, are among landmarks that illustrate the county’s role in early American history. Stratford Hall and related sites host tours, exhibits and educational programs.

George Washington — born in Westmoreland County at Popes Creek.
Montross — the county seat, serving as the local center for government and services.
Stratford Hall and Menokin — preserved historic estates with public access.

Today the county balances preservation with modern needs: local government in Montross maintains services for residents while nonprofit groups and museums support conservation and historical interpretation. Visitors come for the history, waterways and rural landscapes, making Westmoreland County a distinctive part of Virginia’s coastal heritage.